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Slater's slugger no biggie: Dugan

Lee Gaskin

Canberra Raiders player Josh Dugan at the team recovery session at CISAC in Belconnen yesterday. Dugan insists fellow fullback Billy Slater should face no further punishment for his high shot on him during Saturday's NRL match at Canberra Stadium. Photo: Richard Briggs RCB

Josh Dugan's memory of the incident is foggy, but the Raiders star insists Billy Slater's high shot on him shouldn't result in the world's best fullback getting suspended.

The Melbourne Storm will be sweating on the findings of the NRL match review panel after Slater was placed on report in the first half of Saturday night's 24-19 win against the Raiders at Canberra Stadium.

A captivating individual duel between the premier fullback in the game and his heir apparent turned ugly when Slater caught Dugan high with a swinging arm.

Dugan narrowly won the race to a clever Cooper Cronk chip kick over the Raiders defence, collecting the ball and Slater's shot at the same time.

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Players from both sides ran in to protest as Dugan lay motionless on the ground.

''I don't think there was much in it,'' Dugan said yesterday.

''We both went for the ball, I got it and turned and as I was turning it looked like I was falling.

''I don't really remember too much of what happened, I just remember waking up and looking at the big screen.

''I don't think he's got too much to answer for, it was pretty much an accident and that happens in footy.''

Dugan shook off the knock to kick a clutch field goal to give the Raiders the lead, only for Slater to deliver the winning blow by outleaping the NSW Origin incumbent to score the second of his two tries in the 76th minute.

While Slater had the last laugh, Dugan showed why the Raiders were prepared to spend a reported $1.3 million over the next two years to keep him in the national capital until 2014.

Along with diffusing dangerous situations at the back, the 21-year-old displayed his powerful boot to great effect, sharing kicking duties with five-eighth Terry Campese.

''I took it on myself to take a few of the kicks to take the pressure off him because he was going from side to side,'' Dugan said.

''They started to get a bit of pressure on him and started to get a few shots on him after he kicked.''

Then there was the crucial one-pointer, which clipped the crossbar before falling over.

For all the positives taken from pushing last year's minor premier to the brink, the Raiders now must regroupbefore a torrid three weeks on the road.

The Raiders play away games against the Gold Coast Titans, Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers before finally returning home for the round-five clash with the North Queensland Cowboys.

After watching the Titans hold the Cowboys scoreless in Townsville, Raiders coach David Furner is well aware his side cannot afford to rest on its laurels.

''We need to improve on a couple of areas from last night and take that on the road,'' Furner said.

''What I've witnessed in the pre-season and in the trials, I've witnessed a team that wants to win. It's a challenge that we need to face head on and look forward to.''

Raiders winger Reece Robinson will have scans today to determine the extent of a possible cheekbone injury.